utskrivningsplaner

Utskrivningsplaner (discharge plans) are structured plans used in healthcare systems in Sweden and other Nordic countries to organize a patient’s transition from hospital to home or another care setting. They aim to ensure patient safety, continuity of care, and appropriate use of resources by coordinating medical treatment, follow-up appointments, and community or home-based support services after discharge.

Typically, the plan is developed during the hospital stay by a multidisciplinary team that may include physicians, nurses, social workers, pharmacists, therapists, and case managers, in collaboration with the patient and family. Key elements include assessment of post-discharge needs; defined goals; medication reconciliation and changes; arrangements for primary care follow-up; rehabilitation and home care; equipment and home safety; nutrition and social supports; and risk management for issues such as falls or medication-related problems. The plan should be documented in the medical record and communicated to subsequent care providers.

Discharge planning is initiated early and revisited as discharge approaches. The utskrivningsplan is often accompanied by a discharge summary sent to the patient’s primary care physician and any community services involved. Effective discharge planning supports safe transitions, can reduce hospital readmissions, and improves patient and family satisfaction, though challenges include incomplete information, time constraints, and coordination across settings.